Yesterday was the first Boys’ Creative Dance class of the summer at my local studio. This is a class that I am teaching for elementary school aged boys. We offer it for free, in order to encourage boys and parents to take interest. You should be glad to hear that the first class was a great success. It was a success in the sense that I believe the boys and the parents both saw that dance wasn’t such a bad idea. I will go over a little bit about how the class got started, and why I think a boys creative dance class is a great way to introduce elementary school aged boys to dance.

Forming the class

I think boys should be given the chance to dance. It is sad to not give them the chance. It seems natural for girls to be put into dance, while boys are placed somewhere else, maybe a sport. But everyone should be given the chance to experience what dance has to offer.

I offered to teach the class for free. It requires a small amount of time each week that I am giving, and I feel that dance has already provided me with so much, so it seems a very fair trade. We thought about starting the class during the year, but everyone was so busy with performances that we put it on the schedule for the summer.  By the first class 14 boys had enrolled. Because the class was so large, and boys tend to be very active in class, we had another male dancer help out. Only 3 of the boys had taken any dance before at all.

We put together the lessons using ideas from Creative Dance for All Ages by Anne Green Gilbert. She does a lot of great creative dance workshops and a few of the teachers I’ve had have been to them. Creative Dance for All Ages breaks down different concepts of dance, showing tons of great lessons and exercises that kids and adults can really enjoy. I chose different exercises that I thought young guys would like to participate in, created a 40 minute lesson plan, and grabbed some songs I thought were pretty fun and not offensive.

The Class

When I arrived at the studio before the boys’ class, there were already quite a few kids waiting in the lobby. I saw a few mothers trying to calm their sons down. The parents wanted to watch the class, so I let them, and it created quite a fun atmosphere. 40 minutes went by really fast. The dancers were extremely enthusiastic and seemed to whole-heartedly take part.

At the end of the class, a lot of parents came up to us and said they really enjoyed watching. Many said that their sons were not to into the idea of a dance class, but that after they said that it was so much fun. We did all have a lot of fun, and I think that the boys saw that dance can be really enjoyable. Hopefully next week will go as well.

When I think about the mothers trying to calm their boys down in the lobby, and then how those boys were able to use a lot of that energy in the dance class, it just seems to make sense to put a boy in a creative dance class. I hope that parents and their sons recognize that a dance class is a very natural place to be.

At the studio we are talking about adding a second class in the week. There are other boys who are interested in taking dance, but can’t make it on the day that our class is. It will be interesting to see how many boys stick with the class through the summer, and if any boys continue on to take other forms of dance.

I think that dancers should always be thinking about ways they can extend opportunities to others. If you are someone who has gained a lot from dance, think about the many ways that you can introduce others to new experiences. Learning dance is rewarding, helping others learn dance is an honor.

A dance journal is a helpful tool for either the beginner or the advanced dancer. It is a good habit to develop a practice of reflecting on your dance improvement. Dance journals can also be a good reference for yourself. I’m going to tell you a little bit about how to keep an effective dance journal, and then you will be able to form a practice that works for you.

A Reference of Your Past

Last week I was cleaning my bookshelf and I found my first dance journal. As I read through my notes, I recognized the value of this book. I’ve always known that a dance journal is a good way for you to concentrate on your progress, but I hadn’t really realized how valuable it was to look back at my progress. The dance journal isn’t just about looking forward, it can also be about looking back. It really helped me to realize how much better I had gotten. I have a hard time remembering what I was working on years ago, but in my journal I could read along with the notes of corrections I needed to concentrate on during class. It made me feel pretty successful to know that I did continue to take those corrections to heart. Many of them I no longer think about, but only because I spent so much time thinking about them that they became second nature over time.

A Tool for Progress

A dance journal can be most effective because it gives you a chance to reflect on your dancing. When you are given a correction in class, or make a realization, that shouldn’t just be forgotten at the end of that class. You should bring those ideas with you to the next class, and to all of your future dancing. Reflecting on your dancer makes you a conscious learner. To learn quickly, you should always have an idea of something you want to be working on. Don’t just go through the motions. You should be aware of what you want to get better at.

Taking a moment to reflect in your journal after a class, rehearsal, or performance will help you to realize what you want to work on. What continually becomes something you want to work on? What do you have the hardest time improving on? What works well for you? It is amazing how much you can affect your own progress with a little bit of reflection. Make it a habit in your dance journal.

How to Keep an Effective Dance Journal

One of the biggest parts of keeping a dance journal is writing it down. This may seem really obvious, but it requires a little bit of forethought. Get a journal that you feel comfortable writing in. It doesn’t have to be anything special, but make sure it is something you can keep in your dance bag. You’ll want to have access to it after class. Make sure you have a pen as well.

It will be helpful to keep track of the date for each entry, as well as what class level it was, where it was if you take classes in different locations, and who the teacher was. You would think you could remember all of this, but after some time you probably won’t. It can also be helpful to look back and notice any patterns. Is there one teacher who was most helpful with certain areas of your dance? Do you make the same mistakes in different classes? Recognizing patterns in your progress is helpful in being a conscious dancer.

As you get started with your journal, there are a few pieces of information you should consider keeping track of. Most obviously, keep track of any corrections your teacher gives you. These are important because your teacher recognizes what is most important for you to work on. But you should also keep track of corrections that your teacher gives to your classmates. Your teachers can’t give all the corrections to you, so you will benefit from paying attention to corrections made to others, or to the class at large.

Be sure to write down any realizations that you make when you are dancing. These could be a-ha moments from watching others in class or making a slight change. I usually find my a-ha moments are more of a feeling while I’m dancing. For example, while practicing double tour en l’airs, I once noticed that they were much better if I just imagined all of my force in my core instead of my legs or shoulders. These sort of feelings and realizations are hard to remember. Your journal can help remind you of what works best for you. I’m pretty sure that you will notice patterns here as well.

Feel free to keep track of any combinations or choreography that you enjoyed or struggled with. This is very helpful especially when rehearsing for performance. You could take up rehearsal time having to re-remember the choreography, or you could spend a few minutes before rehearsal reviewing your notes. It is especially helpful for people like me, who are a bit slower at learning choreography. Keeping track of combinations you enjoy is also a good idea.

These ideas will get you started, but ultimately your dance journal will become your own. You’ll figure out what works for you. Mainly you want to keep in mind that having a dance journal will help you to progress, and keeping the right information will help you to reflect.

Feel free to leave any comments about what works for you when you and your dance journal.

Ballet takes an intense amount of training, taking years to develop proficient skill. Because of this, ballet is often considered to be reserved for those who start at a very young age, maintaining steady training, and retiring at a young age. It seems that everyone over the age of 12 wonders if they are too old to start ballet. The short answer is, “NO!”, you are not too old to start ballet. The long answer takes into account what you want to get out of ballet and the age you start. In this post I will talk a little bit about my personal experience as a late-beginner. I will also discuss the reality of when dancers begin studying ballet, particularly pertaining to male dancers, as well as what options are open to nearly all dancers, regardless of when you start.

My Experience as a Late-Beginner

At 24 years old I decided to take ballet. I had never taken a dance class in my life, unless you count the time we learned a line-dance to “Boot Scootin Boogie” in my 7^th grade gym class (and I don’t think we’ll count that). When I told friends I wanted to take ballet, not many people took it too seriously. Some warned me that ballet was hard, which is true, but is not a reason to not do it. At 25 years old, I quit working as a Merchant Mariner (doing deck work on cargo-ships) and finally had time to try out a Teen-Adult Beginner ballet class.

Since I took that first class, my dance training slowly became more intensive. I started taking two classes a week. After about a month I took 3 a week, then later 4, adding in some beginner classes with the younger students (somewhat embarrassing being so old in class, but that is just more reason to redeem myself by getting better at dancing). I slowly worked myself up into Advanced level classes by taking as many classes as I could, concentrating on dance, taking summer intensives, and find all opportunities to dance. This whole time I was in school full time, and working, so time management was essential, but I was lucky enough to be given a dance scholarship, otherwise I would not have been able to afford it (dance scholarships for male dancers are frequent, especially in schools connected to dance companies).

I’m 28 years old now, and I’m performing as a soloist in a local pre-professional company. I find many opportunities to perform in full productions, as well as in dance festivals. I have found a chance to teach creative dance to elementary students. Through dance I’ve made some excellent friends. I’m in better shape than I have ever been in, both mentally and physically. I consider the day I decided to take ballet, a major transition in my life. Ballet is a huge part of my current life, and I scare myself by thinking about what life would be like if I had not given ballet a chance.

When Dancers Begin Studying Ballet

It is typical that ballet dancers will start studying as young as 4 years old. But this is not a rule, even for professional dancers. Every dancer’s journey is different. While it is extremely helpful to get as many years of training as you can, it does not mean that you cannot study ballet after a certain age. Male dancers can find even more freedom from this rule.

You will see that there are a lot of professional male dancers who started at a very young age. But it does not mean that there aren’t any very successful professional male dancers who started later in their teens. Males have an advantage because of the shortage of men in ballet, so while there is competition, it is not nearly as competitive as it is for a ballerina.

While starting early can mean a head start on technique, skill, and understanding, it doesn’t always mean a head start on strength. Males usually see their adolescent growth spurt in early or mid-teen years, where they develop the strength they need for partnering and jumping, two major parts of male ballet. In these later years, new dancers are usually are more focused in their training than when they were as a child, and so make greater improvements over short periods of time.

What Late-Beginners Can Expect

The great thing about being a late-beginner, is that your path isn’t defined. Some people could see that actually makes the journey harder, but I think it makes it more enjoyable, rewarding, and unpredictable. When you start ballet, nobody will be able to tell you how far you will go, or what you will do. If you start young, people may give you options and say that you can study yourself into a professional company, or into a school and into a company. There are avenues that have been travelled before and that are still made available. As a “late” start, you will be finding your own way.

Your way may or may not include a professional career. However, if you love dancing or performing, you are happy dancing and performing. You will find ways to do what you love. I believe, that no matter what age you start dancing at, you will find somewhere happy to have you studying dance with them. I also believe that regardless of your age, there are plenty of local dance companies who are looking for people willing to perform and take part in their productions. Performing locally is far more rewarding than people ever seem to give it credit.

You are never too old to dance. I know that sometimes people think that ballet and dance is the exception to things that anyone can start at any age, but it is not. If you put a serious effort into dance, you will most likely get a positive experience in return.

Summer is coming! Have you decided what type of training you will be doing? Summertime is a great time to take advantage of all the different summer dance intensive programs that go on. As a guy, you have a lot more opportunities than you would expect.

What is an intensive?

Summer dance intensives are a great way to fit in a lot of training in a relatively small time period. They are also a great way to visit new studios or meet new dancers. Intensives are usually put on by professional ballet companies, college dance programs, or dance studios.

Summer intensives are often weeks long, and participants typically dance a full day, from morning to evening. Some intensives resemble a camp, with 5 or 6 days of dance a week, and lodging for dancers from out of town. A lot of these programs take place at colleges, where dancers are put up in the dorms. If you are thinking of going to college for dance, this can be a great way to explore your options.

How to find Dance Intensives

If there is a particular company or program that you are interested in, check their website for auditions in your area. Larger companies will often tour auditions and host them at professional companies around the country. Here is an example of ABT’s audition tour schedule: ABT’s Summer Program Audition Tour

If you can’t make it to an audition, check if they accept audition tapes, and ask your dance teacher for help recording your audition tape. For the larger companies, summer auditions happen pretty early in the year and you have to think far in advance to meet deadlines.

If you have missed the deadlines, it is worth checking to see if they will still accept your application. Most of the largest companies probably won’t, but local and less famous companies and programs may accept you. Many programs are in need of male dancers to fill out their pas de deux and male variation classes, so they are excited to find space for you.

I am often approached by local programs asking if I would like to participate in their program. Recently I was contacted by a really innovative program called Dance Wordz which was still looking for male dancers. Check out their summer intensive program: DanceWordz Summer Program

Scholarships

Summer dance intensives can be expensive, but there is usually always a scholarship available for guys who are willing to work hard. Make sure to inquire about them, or see if there are any work study possibilities. If you receive a full scholarship you may be getting free room and board and classes! Not to mention all of the great training you can get, that is a deal that is hard to beat!

Be sure to check out all of your options. If you can’t go away for a summer, find a local program. If you can’t commit for the whole summer, see if you can participate in a portion of it. Summer programs are a great chance to learn and you don’t want to miss out.

Have you been to a program you enjoyed? Leave a comment telling us about it, or about where you plan to go. Leave a comment if you know of a program that is looking for guys as well!

Here is a short student documentary about ballet and stereotypes.  Includes a section on Men of Ballet!

Ballet for Men - Ballet Class

How men can be prepared for their first ballet class.

The first ballet class can probably be the most intimidating part of getting started.  You don’t really know what to expect.  You don’t know how people will react to you.  You don’t even know how your body is going to react to ballet.  I’m pretty sure I was more nervous for my first class than I was for my first performance.  The prospect of your first ballet class is a mix of nerves and excitement.  You don’t have to be nervous, but it is okay if you are.  When you complete your first ballet class you will know that you have accomplished something.  You should feel proud that you took a chance at trying something new, something that most men would be too afraid to even think of.

You’ve found a place to take classes.  Maybe it has adult ballet classes.  You know what time and day your class is on, so now what?  Try your hardest to be at the first class.  That will make things much easier for you.  Also, try to get there a little bit before class starts.  Most schools require you to register before you start taking classes.  This is usually a simple form of your name and phone number and an emergency contact just in case.  You may also need to sign in to your class and if you are paying for the classes, you will pay before the start of class.  If you arrive 20 minutes early, you will be able to get all of this done and still have time to change.  You don’t want to be in a rush or be late for your first class.

What do men wear to their first ballet class?

Don’t worry about tights right now.  Most studios shouldn’t expect new beginner students to invest in tights or even slippers just yet.  You will need to get ballet slippers, and eventually tights and all that goes with it, but for your first class I suggest you wear either sweatpants or gym shorts, a t-shirt that isn’t too baggy (tuck it in to your shorts or sweatpants), and socks.  You will not be doing any big moves that require ballet slippers just yet.  Tights will be needed later because ballet teachers need to be able to see your legs and make sure you are engaging the right muscles and turning out properly.

First ballet class attire for men

• sweatpants or shorts
• t-shirt (tucked in, not too baggy)
• socks

Different studios do have different policies for attire.  They are usually less strict about attire in adult and beginner classes.  I will provide all the information you will need to find tights, ballet slippers, and a dance belt in later posts (when you get tights you also need to get a dance belt. I’ll write more about that too in another post, just don’t get tights without getting a dancebelt).  For you first class, keep it simple.

What to bring to class?

Bring a bottle of water.  You should get thirsty in class.  Bring it with you into the studio, but keep it out of the way.  If you are changing at the studio, bring your clothes in a gym bag.  At most smaller studios, the men’s changing room will probably be a bathroom or resemble a disused storage closet.  There just aren’t enough men there to equip a nice changing room usually.  You will either keep your bag and clothes in the changing room, you could bring it in the studio and keep it in a corner out of the way.  There will probably be an area where everyone else is putting there bags.

Don’t wear your shoes into the actual dance studio.  Street shoes should not be worn on the dance floor, so take them off and either leave them at the entrance to the room, in the lobby under some chairs, or where everyone else seems to be leaving them.  If you are unclear about anything, don’t be afraid to ask someone who works there.  They understand that it can be pretty confusing.

What to Expect in Ballet Class

Don’t worry about other people watching you, or thinking you are bad.  First of all, everyone who has taken any ballet knows that it is hard, and that nobody is going to be a star their first class.  Second, they are all concentrating so much on their own dancing, that the teacher is probably the only person that will really watch you.  You will see that when you are in class you will be concentrating so much on the ballet moves that you will not even notice anyone else.  For this same reason, you will not have to be worried about getting distracted by any of the ladies or other dancers in class, you will be concentrating way too much for that.

Some classes are taught using a piano player, and some are taught using recorded music from a cd.  It is nice to have a good piano player, but it is definitely not required for a good class.

Pacific Northwest Ballet gives us a look at the Advanced Men’s Ballet Class at this year’s summer intensive.

The Best Time to Start

The best time to start ballet, is as soon as you can.  But the easiest time for a new dancer to start taking ballet classes, would be in the fall.  Summer is ending now, and a lot of the advanced summer intensives are coming to a close.  New ballet classes will usually begin at the same time regular school starts in the fall .  This is the point where some dancers will advance to a higher level of classes and it is also the time when beginner classes start from the very beginning, the very basics.  While it is possible to not know anything about ballet, and start a few classes in and get fully caught up, it will be easier on you and the teacher if you start at the beginning.  Some studios may offer special “New Beginner” classes to get students up to speed for the regular beginner classes, but these are a bit rare.  Ballet is an art form based heavily on technique, and those techniques are learned from the basics.  Your technique will be better if you start as close to the beginning as you can.

Finding a Studio

There are dance studios in every part of the country.  Even a very small town may have multiple studios to choose from.  Choosing a studio can be a tough and serious decision.  If you don’t know anybody who currently takes ballet, it can also be confusing.

The Professional Company’s Open Class

There If you live in a big city with a professional ballet company, they most likely offer open classes for Teens and Adults.  These are great classes, often taught by dancers in the company.  They are often in the same studios the professionals rehearse in, which are fun to take class in and easily add to the excitement of taking ballet.   You can find out schedule and price information for these classes on the ballet company’s website.  It is usually listed under “School” or “Classes” and listed as an “Open” class.

Here is an example of a professional company with open classes:  PNB Open Program